The chairwoman of the CDU’s economic wing, Gitta Connemann, broke with her party leaders by publicly addressing the controversial proposal from the Small‑Business and Economic Union (MIT). The initiative, titled “No Legal Claim to Lifestyle-Part‑Time” was slated for a vote at the upcoming CDU conference but had already drawn sharp criticism from the party’s top ranks.
Connemann told the “Tagesspiegel” that the proposal’s headline had been “too strong” and that the choice of words had made a meaningful discussion about part‑time work difficult. “I regret this” she said, urging both the party and the public not to lose sight of the substantive issue amid the media buzz over the wording.
She appealed to the CDU, the press and the electorate: “Beyond ceremonial outrage, we need to learn to discuss reform proposals seriously”. For Connemann, the debate is not about her or the party; it concerns Germany’s capacity for reform.
According to the “Tagesspiegel”, the CDU’s drafting committee has already suggested a revised version of the part‑time initiative for approval at the upcoming party conference.